News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-11-03
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., |
Oct Or 1897.


On Monday, December 5, just six
weeks from yesterday, the Speakers
gavel will make its salutatory knock
upon the marble desk in the Hall of
the Lower House of the National Leg
islature, and announce the fact that
Congress is once more with us. This
coming event at the Capital is her
aided by the changed aspect of the
city, and by the many old and famil-
lar faces and forms one is apt now to
meet in a stroll about the political and
social centers of Washington. The
Capital city is already in glow that
will very soon merge into white heat
and shine with dazzling brilliancy dur
ing the coming important political and
social season, for this season will be
the season of 1871 Politics and So
ciety may be said to be the very heart
of Washington life. They form the
magnet that attracts the host of win
ter residents, and the power of this
magnet increases every year. Its at
traction is felt, not only in remote
corners of this country, but sometimes
in Europe. 1t calls the truant Sens
tor, politician, and Mrs. and Miss
VANITY Fair back from their summer
sojourn abroad. 1t is its influence in
connection with the chilly forewarn-
ings of hoary winter, that lures the
society belle from her salt water or
rustic retreat back to the enjoyment
of Terpsichore and the social mazes
at the Capital. 1t is this influence
that thrills the Congressman about
this time, and leads him captive into
Washington with his body-guard of
relatives and constituents. 1t is the
same influence that draws into the ma
tional household the ignoble army of
lobbyists and hungry train of BIZ
peds looking for something to turn
up" It is, in fact, thi, strange power
and fascination, born of a combina-
lion of politics and seriousness, soci-
ETY. and frivolity, that secures the va
red personnel of the National Capt.
'al. In sections and squads they
come now, but in a week or so the
great host will suddenly come down
lpon us, futter for a while and then
settle for the season.
For this influx, Washington has pre-
pared during her summer respite.
She has donned new attire and is
ready to courtesy on the arrival of her
and winter guests. In
doors and out the city has been swept
and garnished, miles of new streets
have been smoothly paved with as
phalt, and bright new parks have
been opened and metamorphosed into
Terdant splendor. Every day has
marked further filling in of the Po-
,omac ''iats," the alleged source of
congressional malaria"-and the ul-
innate plan of this Improvement con-
mid-river park south of
the city that will rival the famous
Soldiers Home drives at the northern
end. The new pension building has
been completed and the finished
Washington Monument will soon be
ready for the ascent of the general
public.
A walk about the city will surprise
he summer absentee. Real estate
crowd the eye on every
tide. Capitol Hill and South Wash
ngton have seen a great change in
his respect, but it is in the West
End. the fashionable quarter of the
;ity, that the Improvements for this
season are most marked. Connect
,ut Avenue extends through the heart
If this fashionable section of the city,
md ranks next to Pennsylvania aven-
lie in social prominence and as ia
7orite promenade. This magnificent
street extends from the residence of
The eminent philanthropist, Mr.. w.
W. Corcoran, to whom the country
IS indebted for the establishment of
the noted Corcoran Art Gallery and
many other donations of national i'm
oortance, to the well-known Castle
Stewart, or stewards Folly" as it is
called. Centrally on this
avenue are located the buildings of
he British Legation, and many other
have their representatives
housed on it in what is called Diplo-
matte Row. Connecticut Avenue is
20 Washington what Fifth Avenue is
10 New York, or Boulevard Hauss-
mann is to Paris. 1t presents now
almost an unbroken stretch of Amer.
can palaces, and vies in architectural
beauty of design and finish with al
most any street in the world. SINH
arity is found in Commonwealth Az
,nue at the american Athens" but
here is then noted lack of the pleas
ng relief that the eye finds on Con-
lecticut Avenue in the intervals of
green parks and bright flower beds.
Washington is happy in another
The howl of the Office
ecker is practically inaudible. This
TRANCE, hopeful variety of the genus
lomo we have always with us. He
loes not migrate with the rest of the
" ashingtonians for a summer holt
lay, but plies his vocation even dur
ng the long siesta which the city en-
oys in the interval between the ses-
lions of Congress. He formerly made
life uncomfortable to the President and
he heads of departments. No amount